Selective positioning mechanism for matrix printing machine



May 1, 1962 w. P. RYAN ,0

SELECTIVE POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR MATRIX PRINTING MACHINE Filed April 18, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR WILLIAM 9 RYAN ATTORNEYS y 1, 1962 w. P. RYAN 3,032,165

SELECTIVE POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR MATRIX PRINTING MACHINE Filed April 18, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WILLIAM P. RY

ATTORNEYS May 1, 1962 w. P. RYAN 3,032,165

SELECTIVE POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR MATRIX PRINTING MACHINE Filed April 18, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.5

Fig.7 6.926 2. O7bpmfe'rooj69 i8vwucnrisq25 /zxkyg hdlz34 )8BPMFETAOJ( *VWUCNR|SQ@% '/4XKYG HDLZ41=$ 2 2 2 2z"2-z 2 2 2 22 2 a 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2* 2 2 2 2 2 INVENTOR WILLIAMRRYAN BY6M9QAJ ATTORNEYS Unites 3,632,165 Patented May 1, W62

York

Filed Apr. 18, 1960, Ser. No. 23,979 6 Claims. (Cl. 197-16) This invention relates to mechanism for converting digital information into discrete angular movements of a positioning device; more particularly it relates to mechanism characterized by a constant input positive drive mechanism and by digital code translating apparatus for selecting the magnitude of said constant input to be imparted to the matrix positioning mechanism of a matrix printing machine in accordance with codes representative of type on the type matrix of the machine.

Known printing machines incorporating a type matrix which must be capable of two degrees of motion to position a type thereon before a printing point employ horizontal and vertical selector-drive mechanisms which, by the addition or subtraction of incremental motions in accordance with the bits in mechanically generated code patterns representative of type on the matrix, drive type matrix positioning mechanisms. Such selector-drive mechanisms are of the well known differential pulley type. In that the operation of such machines is cyclic, i.e. the mechanisms must go through a complete cycle in response to each code pattern, the cycle time is required to be short to enable subsequent code patterns to be acted upon at normal typing rates. Since the known types of selector mechanisms employ a multiplicity of elements there is imposed, due to system inertia, a limit on the cycle time attainable.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided simple, fast acting, and simultaneously operable, horizontal and vertical selector mechanisms responsive to binary digital information representative of characters on a type matrix for varying the degree of coupling be tween a constant input positive drive source and mechanisms operative to position the type matrix. In brief, each selector mechanism comprises a mechanical binary translator which selects a pivot about which linkage between the constant input drive mechanism and associated positioning mechanism fulcrums.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide a simple fast acting mechanism for converting digital in formation into discrete angular movements of positioning devices.

Another object of the invention is in the provision of a mechanical binary translator for selectively controlling the magnitude of drive between a constant input positive drive mechanism and positioning mechanisms.

Another object of the invention is to provide fulcrum varying means under control of a mechanical translator for varying the drive between a positive drive mechanism and positioning mechanisms.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a keyboard encoder;

FIGURES 2 and 3 are views of a dog clutch mechanism operable through the keyboard output instrumentalities;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing vertical selector-drive mechanism and horizontal selector mechanism, the latter in block diagram;

FIGURE 5 is a view showing the horizontal selectordrive mechanism;

FIGURE 6 is a view of a type matrix positioning mechanism; and

FIGURE 7 is a layout of the type on the matrix operable by the positioning mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGURE 1 a form of a keyboard input device which is disclosed and claimed in application Serial No. 4,749, filed January 26, 1960, and which is adapted to encode up to y characters in accordance with the relation 3 :2 where n is the number of digits in the code. Briefly it comprises a plurality of selector bails 11 secured to cross shafts 12. Shafts 12 are rotataively mounted between yokes l3 pivotally mounted on cross shafts 14. The bails 11 and shafts 12 are adapted to be rotated by bail selection springs 15 depending from key stems 16. The number of springs depending from each key stem is in accordance with the code representation of the character assigned to said key. Secured on one end of each of said shafts 12 is a dog 17 which, when the bail and shaft associated therewith is rotated, engages an associated notch 18 in a bail drive link 19. A power connecting bail 22, operative upon depression of any key by a spring 23 associated with each key, is similarly secured to a cross shaft 24 rotatably mounted between yokes 25 pivotally mounted on a cross shaft 26. The rearmost end of drive link 19 and a roll cam 27 are pivotally mounted on one end of the shaft 24. The forward end of the drive link is pivotally connected to a crank arm 28 which in turn is pivotally mounted on a shaft 29. The roll cam is adapted upon rotation of its bail shaft 24 to engage a continuously driven power roll 31 thereby actuating said drive link 19 which, through said dogs, drives the bail support yokes 13 from normal to actuated positions, which positions represent a zero and a one condition respectively. The binary output of the encoder is brought out through cables 2, 2 2 2 2 and 2 connected to the yokes, each cable representing a bit and all the cables representing a combination of zero and one bits representative of the character or characters assigned to the key depressed.

In that most keys are assigned two characters, i.e. upper and lower case, shift and shift lock keys 33 and 34 are adapted upon depression to cam a stud 35 on a crank arm 36 pivoted on a cross shaft 37 thereby to actuate a shift bit or 2 cable 38. As is understood in the art the shift bit will permit the number of characters which can be encoded to be doubled, i.e. the upper case character code representation will differ from. the lower case code by a shift bit; thereby enabling the standard type-. Writer keyboard to be encoded.

With the exception of the shift cable, all of the output cables as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3 extend, three on each side of the machine, through openings provided in a pair of clutch triggering cranks 40 secured to hubs 41 rotatively mounted on a cross shaft 42. The hubs 41 carry a pair of clutch triggering arms 43 connected by a cross bar 44. A clutch control arm 45 freely rotatable on shaft 42, but spring biased against cross bar 44, is adapted upon rotation of arms 43 to be moved clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 2 by cross bar 44. Movement of the clutch triggering crank is effected by balls 46 (FIG- URE 2) securely mounted on the bit cables whereby when any one or more of the cables is actuated the balls 46 thereon, which are larger in diameter than the passages in the cranks 40 through which the cables pass, carries the arms 43 forwardly or to the right as viewed in FIGURE 2, thereby moving the clutch control arm.

As seen in FiGURE 3 the clutch is of the face engaging type and comprises a driving member 51 rotatably mounted on a cam shaft 52 and adapted to be continuously driven by a motor driven belt 53. A hub 54 is provided with teeth 55 on its end adjacent the driving member. The hub is also keyed, as by an axially extending tongue 56 and groove 57 arrangement, to a second hub 58 secured to shaft 52. A spring 59 wrapped around the hubs and maintained by flanges 62 on the hubs biases the first hub 54 toward the continuously driven toothed member 51. A pair of lugs 63 spaced 180 apart extend radially from hub 54 and are adapted to cooperate with a camming surface 65 on the clutch control arm 45 to disengage the hub 54 from the drive member 51. In that the lugs 63 are spaced 180 apart, each time the clutch is engaged the cam shaft 52 may rotate only 180 before lugs 63 disengage hub 54 from drive member 51.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 7 the seven bit lines are divided into groups of 3 and 4 for controlling move ment of vertical and horizontal positioning shafts 66 and 67 to one of six and thirteen positions, respectively, whereby the type matrix 68 shown in FIGURE 7 may be selectively positioned. As depicted in FIGURE 7 the matrix is normally in a home position with respect to a printing station 69; with the type faces arranged thereon in six rows and thirteen columns. The lower case characters on the matrix are disposed in the upper three rows and the upper case characters in the lower three rows. To the left of the matrix layout and below are shown bit cable combinations from the keyboard which must be activated to move the matrix from the home position shown to any of the six vertical positions and from the home position shown to any one of twelve horizontal positions; six to the left, and six to the right of home position.

In that the horizontal and vertical selection mechanisms are substantially identical excpt as will hereinafter be apparent, a detailed description of the vertical selector mechanism only will be given. The group of 3 bit cables, which comprise the 2, 2 and 2 or shift bit, are each connected to one end of a latch 70 pivoted on a shaft 71 secured to the machine frame (not shown). The nose ends 72 of the latches are biased by springs 73 into latching engagement with shoulders 74 formed in notchcoded slides 75. Springs 73 also operate to return the bail yokes 13 through the bit cables to zero position. The coded slides 75 are provided with elongated slots 76 within which are disposed aligning rods 77 secured to the machine frame. The slides are loaded as by springs 78 away from the latches 70 whereby when the latches are actuated the released slides move one increment. Movement of the slides, depending on the combination released, aligns predetermined notches 79 therein, thereby providing a discrete channel for the reception of a discrete one of six fulcrum levers 81 pivoted on a shaft 82 secured to the machine frame. In the embodiment disclosed only six are necessary but up to seven could be accommodated assuming the all zero code were not used. Levers 81 move toward the slides under the action of springs 83 secured to the fulcrum levers and to the machine frame. As shown the fulcrum levers 81 are provided on their upper ends with pins 84- adapted, when an associated fulcrum lever moves into a channel, to enter holes 85 in a drive or motion transmitting link 86.

One end of the vertical drive or motion transmitting link 86 is pivotally connected as at 87 to the lower end of an intermediate link 88 whose upper end is pivotally connected to a cam follower member 89. The other end of the drive link 86 is pivotally connected as at 90 to the upper end of an intermediate link 91 whose lower end is pivotally connected to a crank arm 92. The holes 85 in drive link 86 are spaced relative to one another and to pivot point 87 such that crank arm 92 can be rotated to any one of six equally spaced angular increments depending on the pivot hole selected. The crank arm 92 is secured to vertical positioning shaft 66, rotation of which positions the type matrix 68 (FIGURES 6 and 7) in a vertical direction. The cam follower member 89 is pivoted on a shaft 94 secured to the machine frame and has a pair of arms 95 the ends of which carry rollers 96 associated with earns 97 and 98. The cams 97 and 98 are shaped to drive the cam follower 89 counter clockwise and clockwise respectively each time the cam shaft 52 rotates 180.

Also secured to the cam shaft 52 are fulcrum lever reset cams 11 91 and 192 and a code slide reset cam 1113. Associated with the code slide reset cam 103 is a cam follower link 104 pivoted intermediate its ends on a shaft 165 secured to the machine frame. The end of link 104 removed from the cam is connected to an intermediate link 166, also pivoted to the machine frame and biased by a spring 107. Link 106 is connected to a slide 168 mounted on the aligning rods 77 whereby move ment of cam follower link 184 will move the slide 198 forwardly thereby carrying a code slide reset bail 111 secured thereto, forwardly. As seen in the figures the code slide reset bail 111 engages shoulders 112 on the code slides thereby pushing them forwardly against their spring forces until shoulders 74 are re-engaged by the noses of latches 70. Associated with the fulcrum lever reset cams 101 and 102 is a cam follower 113 having a pair of arms 114 embracing the periphery of cams 1111 and 1632 and having rollers 115 and 116 adapted to engage first cam 101 and later in a cycle cam 102 whereby a fulcrum lever reset bail 117 is moved to return the fulcrum levers 81 to set position. This is accomplished by connecting the fulcrum lever reset cam follower to an intermediate link 118 which is connected to rock spaced arms 119 pivotally mounted on shaft 82. The fulcrum bail 117 is connected between arms 119.

The horizontal selecting mechanism, generally designated 122 in FIGURES 4 and 5, is identical except that, as seen in FIGURE 5, it comprises four code slides 123 and employs twelve interposers 124 associated with twelve holes 125 in drive link 126. The code slides are adapted to be released when latches 1'27 associated with bit cables 2 2 2 and 2 are actuated. An additional difference is that the intermediate link 128 coupling the horizontal drive cam follower 129 is connected intermediate the ends of the drive link as at 130 whereby shaft 67 may be rotated clockwise or counter clockwise to position the matrix 68 to either side of home posiiton.

The mechanism for moving the matrix 68 is shown in FIGURE 6 wherein the type matrix 68 takes, in a preferred embodiment, the form of a segment of a sphere with the type face on the outer spherical surface 13]. thereof. An alternate form for the type matrix may comprise a vertical cylinder which will function in the same manner as the spherical matrix.

The spherical segment is mounted in such a way that any point on the type matrix can be brought into printing position by rotating the sphere about a pair of orthogonal axes which have their intersection at the center of the sphere. The type faces on the spherical surface 131 are flat in a plane perpendicular to a radial line through the center of the type position. Each type-face position is at the intersection of a vertical and horizontal equator of the sphere; these equatorial lines being positioned at certain angular increments about their respective mutually perpendicular axes.

Referring more particularly to FIGURE 6, the spherical matrix is fastened to a horizontal shaft 132 which is free to rotate in a Y-shaped yoke 133 whose tubular base leg 134 is free to turn in bearings (not shown) in the type matrix carriage 135. The type matrix carriage is mounted in a set of slides (not shown) so that the carriage is free to move back and forth horizontally along the positioning shafts 66 and 67 to effect letter feed, tabulating and carriage return movement. Keyed to the horizontal positioning shaft 67 so that it is driven by the shaft but carried along horizontally with the type matrix carriage is a horizontal positioning bevel gear 140. Bevel gear 140 is meshed with a bevel gear 141 attached to the base leg 134 of yoke 133, so that if the horizontal positioning shaft 67 is caused to turn, the yoke and the spherical matrix are turned about a vertical axis 136. This, in elfect, is moving a point on the spherical surface in a horizontal direction. Keyed to the vertical positioning shaft 66 so that it is driven by the shaft but carried along horizontally with the carriage 135 is a vertical positioning gear 143. This gear is meshed with a rack 144 that is attached to a pusher-rod 145, which is essentially a tube extending up through the center of the base leg 134 of yoke 133. At the top of the pusher-rod a rack 146 is pivotally attached as at 147 so that it is free to pivot about the vertical axis 136. Rack 146 is meshed with a pinion 143 attached intermediate the ends of the horizontal shaft 132. Thus, if the vertical positioning shaft 66 is caused to turn, the pusher-rod moves vertically, rotating the spherical matrix about its horizontal axis, is. the axis of shaft 132 which is, in efiect, moving a point on the spherical surface in a vertical direction.

Operation As before stated depression of a key on the keyboard will pull a combination of bit cables forwardly thereby unlatching predetermined ones of the code slides, either in the vertical selector mechanism alone or in both of the selector mechanisms. This action will bring predetermined notches in the code slides into alignment so as to permit discrete fulcrum levers to enter associated pivot holes in drive links. Simultaneously, the balls 46 on the bit cables will effect clutch engagement whereby shaft 52 will begin a 180 cycle of rotation. Assuming a lower case 2 is to be printed, the matrix is required, as is evident from FIGURES 6 and 7, to move from home position clockwise about its horizontal axis 132 one increment to position the lower case e before the printing station. No movement is required about vertical axis 136. As indicated in FIGURE 7, the E key is designed when actuated to pull cable 2 thereby releasing slide 75 which will vertically align notches 79 in each slide opposite fulcrum lever 81' only. Cam 101 is so formed that it engages roller 116 very early in the 180 shaft cycle thereby rocking the cam follower 113 counter clockwise, arm 118 downwardly, and arms 119 counter clockwise. This moves rod 117 away from the fulcrum levers whereby lever 81 will move into opposite aligned notches and its pin 84- into pivot hole 85 in drive link 86. Shortly thereafter cam 97 rocks follower 89 counter clockwise about shaft 94 pushing intermediate link 88 downwardly a short distance which is always the same amount. The movement of link 87 causes drive link 86 to pivot clockwise about the selected pin 84.

In that the angle through which vertical positioning shaft 66 rotates depends on the distance of the selected pivot hole from pivotal connection 87, shaft 66 will move angular increment as a result of the selection of the pivot hole opposite to lever 81 thereby moving the matrix clockwise about the axis of shaft 132 one increment; positioning e before printing station 69. With the e before the printing point further cams (not shown) on the cam shaft will actuate a hammer (not shown) during the cycle. After printing, cam 98 is designed to restore cam follower 89, links 88, 86 and 91, shaft 66 and the matrix to home position. Thereafter cams 103 and 102 respectively act on associated followers to reset the code slides and return the fulcrum levers to normal positions in manners heretofor described. While the matrix is being restored to home position, additional cams (not shown) effect an escapement of the carriage 135 and the hammer in a line feed direction. Since no pivot hole was selected on the horizontal drive link 126, the motion of cam 129 would only cause link 126 to rock about pivotal connection 150 (FIGURE 5) and hence transmit no motion to shaft 67.

The selection of a letter requiring movement of the matrix in both directions is similar; with movements in both directions occurring simultaneously. It is to be appreciated that the angle through which, and the direction in which, horizontal position shaft 67 turns depends, respectively, on the distance of the selected pivot hole from its pivotal connection 130 to intermediate link 128 and Whether the selected pivot hole is to the right or left of the pivotal connection 130.

It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. Apparatus including an output shaft for converting it digit code representations into discrete angular movements of said output shaft comprising a drive shaft adapted to partake of a cyclic movement in response to said code representations, a motion transmitting member having up to 2 fulcrum holes, mechanism for rotating said output shaft, means articulately connecting one end of said motion transmitting member to said mechanism for rotating said output shaft, means for coupling said motion transmitting member to said drive shaft whereby it partakes of a constant amplitude oscillatory motion about said one end during a cycle of said drive shaft, up to Z fulcrum pins adapted for movement into associated fulcrum holes, means operative in response to said n digit code representations for cycling said drive shaft, and means operative in response to said 11. digit code representations for permitting a discrete one of said fulcrum pins to enter an associated fulcrum hole in said motion transmitting member whereby said one end partakes of an oscillatory motion having an amplitude related to said constant amplitude oscillatory motion'in accordance with the selected fulcrum hole.

2. Mechanism for converting coded digital representations of information into discrete angular movements of a positioning shaft comprising a normally quiescent driving member, an oscillatable driven member coupled to said driving member, a lever having a plurality of fulcrum holes coupled to said driven member, a crank arm for moving said shaft, means pivotally connecting one end of said lever with said crank arm, fulcrum setting means adapted for movement into associated fulcrum holes, a plurality of slides selectively movable in response to said digital representations, notches in said slides permutably arranged to permit movement of discrete ones of said fulcrum setting means into associated holes, and means responsive to said digital representations for initiating a cycle of said driving member whereby said lever is oscillated about a selected fulcrum setting means.

3. Mechanism for converting digital representations of information into discrete coordinate movements of a type matrix having type arranged thereon in coordinate positions, comprising coordinate matrix positioning shafts, means for moving each of said shafts, a quiescent driving member, oscillatable driven members coupled to said driving member, a lever having a plurality of fulcrum holes coupled to each of said driven members, a group of fulcrum setting means associated with each lever and adapted for movement into associated. fulcrum holes, means pivotally connecting one end of each of said levers to an associated one of said coordinate matrix positioning shaft moving means, means responsive to digital representations for initiating a cycle of said driving mem' ber, and means simultaneously responsive to said digital representations for selecting a discrete one of said fulcrum setting means in each group for movement into associated fulcrum holes.

4. A printing machine having a type matrix whereon type elements are disposed at predetermined coordinate distances from a printing station, mechanism for moving said matrix simultaneously about coordinate axes to position predetermined type elements before said printing station in accordance with code patterns representative of said elements, said mechanism comprising a first and a second matrix positioning shaft, means for moving each of said positioning shafts, a cyclically driven power source, a pair of levers each having a plurality of fulcrum points, means for permanently pivotally connecting one end of each of said levers with an associated shaft moving means, oscillatable means coupled to said cyclically driven power source for oscillating said levers about said permanent connections, and means selectively responsive to code patterns for selectively engaging said fulcrum points whereby said permanent connections are moved through predetermined angles in accordance with the fulcrum points selected.

5. A typewriter having a type matrix whereon type elements are disposed at predetermined coordinate distances from a printing station, mechanism responsive to n digit binary code signals for moving said matrix simultaneously about coordinate axes to position a selected type element before said printing station and return said matrix to a home position after a printing operation, said mechanism comprising a first shaft for positioning said matrix about one coordinate axis, a second shaft for positioning said matrix about its other coordinate axis, a crank arm secured to each of said positioning shafts, a normally quiescent cam shaft, means responsive to code signals for cycling said cam shaft, first and second cam follower means oscillatable by said cam shaft, means for transmitting the motions of each of said cam follower means to a motion transmitting member articulately connected to each of said cam follower means, means for articulately connecting said motion transmitting members to associated crank arms, said connections being normally ineffective to transmit said follower motions to said crank arms, fulcrum holes in said members, a group of fulcrum pins mounted for movement into associated member fulcrum holes, code signal translating means normally disposed in the path of said fulcrum pins, and means responsive to code signals for operating said translating means, thereby removing the impediment before discrete fulcrum pins in each group, said discrete fulcrum pins being operative on said connections to effect the transmission of said cam follower motions to said crank arms.

6. A printing machine having a type matrix and a keyboard, means operable from said keyboard for generating digital code signals representative of a character on said type matrix, matrix positioning means comprising a motion transmitting lever having a plurality of fulcrum holes, a plurality of fulcrum pins disposed opposite said fulcrum holes, means responsive to said code signals for permitting the entry of a discrete fulcrum pin into an associated fulcrum hole, a normally quiescent shaft, means responsive to said code signals for cycling said normally quiescent shaft, means coupled to said normally quiescent shaft for oscillating said lever about a discrete fulcrum pin, and means for coupling the motion of said lever about said selected fulcrum pin to said matrix positioning means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

